C. 1925 - 2006, Androka, Mahafaly Land, Madagascar
Lived and worked in Androka, Madagascar
The origins of Mahafale art and funerary rites date back to the early 16th century, with the settlement of the Maroserana royal clans in the Mahafale region of southern Madagascar. This sacred art, considered the most prestigious on the island, has been passed down from father to son, from Soroboka, the ancestor of Efiaimbelo, to Efiaimbelo himself, who, through refinement and inventiveness, preserved and further developed this living tradition.
Efiaimbelo creates traditional sculptures called Alouals, arranged in a square around a parallelepiped of stones forming the superstructure of the tomb. The Aloual is a symbol of prestige, serving as an ornament for the tomb of a wealthy deceased, a spiritual chief of a clan, or an important lineage leader. They are always oriented eastward and always in even numbers.
The Aloual is a carved wooden post, typically made from the very hard Mendorave wood, standing around two meters tall. The lower section features a sequence of eight motifs (the number eight symbolizing completeness), arranged alternately in abstract and geometric forms. According to oral tradition, myths and legends attribute varying meanings to these motifs, with the eighth motif representing a full moon.
The post is topped with a wide, sculpted figurative scene in high relief, usually depicting a zebu and its keeper (the zebu being a symbol of wealth). As a true artist, Efiaimbelo has diversified his repertoire, creating new scenes such as zebu thefts, bush taxis, wrestlers, airplanes, motorcycles, and stories from legends and folktales.
Efiaimbelo is one of the first sculptors to paint Alouals with a variety of acrylic colors, applied purely for decorative purposes. The Alouals honor the deceased while celebrating life itself.
